Pre-Game: Rapids v New York red Bulls

The Rapids are back at home to play host to New York Red Bulls. The Rapids have the edge overall against NYRB with an 18-16-7 record going 11-6-3 at home. The Red Bulls are 5th in the Eastern Conference, with a 5-3-0 record; just one of 3 teams in the league who have yet to settle for a tie. Last week NYRB rolled over NYCFC 4-0 on the road and are looking to build off that momentum at Dicks Sporting Goods Park.

The Rapids come back from Sporting KC with a lot of video to study and look to build off their mistakes. Coach Hudson would like you to think that this team is still coming along, and in a way these early season games are still preseason for some of the new signings. Each week there is progression with fitness, chemistry and soccer IQ; not to mention a few players might be back from injury.

This game has the ingredients for a Scottish style swamp match. Both teams focus on off the ball movement, with a high press and require the attack to come out of the midfield; or the counter attack. Both teams have a striker worth putting two defenders on and both teams have a coach who asks their team to do more tactically than they will lead on.

Bradley Wright-Phillips is no joke, this season he is scoring right around every 78 minutes or so; best in the league. All three center backs will have to be at their best today.

We are learning that Coach Hudson may put certain players in the lineup based on who they are playing against. This might explain why we get somewhat confused with some picks. We are going to need dynamic and physical players for this game; keep your fingers crossed that Jack Price can make it one more game without a yellow.

The weather today will provide the supporters with an “British” atmosphere and I expect the game on the pitch to follow suit.